Friday, June 27, 2014

The Maria’s were turning one year old. Yes, there were
two of them and their families had much in common.

My husband and I were invited to celebrate the birthdays
of two little girls that lived in different cities.Both sets of parents were successful,
professed to be Christians (of differing denominations), and were reveling over
the birthday of the first grandchild.

One set of parents came from an all Italian background,
which I wasn’t familiar with at that time. They went all out for this first
grandchild inviting everyone they knew to join in on the festivities.

The other parents also invited lots of people to the big
event, but this celebration turned out much different.

Welcome new friends this week from:See if your state/country made the list.

USA:Thank you to all who have remained faithful in sharing this Inner Journey
on Daily Favor.(DFB - Daily Favor Blog)

You are welcome to leave comments
or prayer requests below.All are
private. I would love to hear from you and how Daily Favor has worked in your
life.Contact me by leaving a message in
the box at the bottom of this week’s post.

Our Italian friends knew how to make everyone feel
welcome.There were several things that
made this party memorable, and it wasn’t the child.She made her debut and the “party girl”
petered out after a few hours.Seems she
had enough and went to sleep.

There were several things I remembered about our visit.
First it was loud, very loud.After my
friend asked my husband to pray a blessing over the food the room became overcrowded. The uncles and cousins gathered around the table in the kitchen
debating back and forth over sports teams.I took my friend aside and asked why everyone was angry.She just smiled and said, “Who’s angry? This is how they talk.Some Italians can get loud, but nobody is mad.We talk over one another that’s all.” Feeling quite dumb the only thing that came
out of my mouth was, “Oh …”

Another thing I was impressed by was how they honored
their great grandmother.The entire
family served her with joy as if she was a Queen, and when she spoke everyone
listened.Even the chatty uncles were
silent as soon as granny began to speak.

When it came time to leave, it was with hugs from new
friends, laughter and food that “we must take” with us as if they were parting
gifts.

The
Second Maria

By the time we arrived little Maria was already zipping
about in her new toy car out on the patio.She was having a grand time and didn’t pay much attention to anything or
anyone else except when it was time for the cake.Who could blame her?

Little Maria’s parents mingled and introduced the guests
to each other ... that was all except us. Even though we were feeling a bit
out in left field and considering how loud things were, the party appeared to
be going well when suddenly something happened.

I need to fill you in with a bit of information before I
continue.We didn’t go to the party
alone, but brought a teenage girl with us.She was from an abusive alcoholic family and just received Christ in our
youth group a few days previous to the party.

We had asked her to come along to get her out of her
environment, and so she could see what “Christian” families do at
gatherings.Since this was an activity
for a toddler what could it hurt, right?

The
Gray Zebra

When I began my studies for this week’s teaching the only
thing that came to mind were Zebras, even more specifically gray ones.It was weird how they kept coming into my
thoughts and I didn’t have a clue as to why God would direct me to research
this animal.﻿﻿

Given that I couldn’t make sense of it, I wrote down the
phrase and put it off for several weeks.Then it bothered me so much I finally had to figure this out through
looking up some facts about these creatures.

When I focused on my “assignment” God revealed what He
had been trying to tell me. Sometimes Christians like to live in the “gray” areas
that don’t make it clear they are true believers.This is where the Zebra part comes in …

Zebras are technically black and white animals so their
marking makes them pretty easy to identify as to whether or not they are really
Zebras.No one needs to redefine what
one is based strictly on what it looks like.

God’s pointed out that His Word is black and white, being
clearly identified so that even a child can understand it.However, we disregard the parts we don’t
agree with and fight over doctrine.There are the extremists, the total traditionalist, legalistic,
liberalists, denominations and a whole lot more categories when it comes to being a Christian.These things make Christianity anything but
clear to an unbeliever, and add to the confusion how an individual should live as one.

The thing is that we don’t need to redefine the gospel or
(Zebra).It is what it is, and that’s
how God designed it.There are no gray areas when it comes to God’s
Word.

The
Gray Matters

﻿

Close-Up of Grevy's Zebra Stripes, Equus Grevyi, Africa

Zoologists have broken the identification of a Zebra into
three specific areas depending on the size of the stripes, but even those
classifications define a Zebra as being black and white.When grayish tones appear it’s because of
something outside of the natural makeup of the animal.

There are times when Christians act outside the natural
character of what God defines His children should be like. They live in the
gray zone enjoying the things of this world and giving no thought to what they
are doing.

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the
renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is good and acceptable and
perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2 NKJV)

Christians are to prove what is good, acceptable and the
will of God to others, not to God.He
already knows all these things.

If you’re not clear on what this means look at it like
this:

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God
transform you into a new person by changing the way you think (which will
change the way you act). Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which
is good and pleasing and perfect.”(Romans 12:2 NLT)

This is where men and women of faith hinder the growth of
the church, by things they consider acceptable based on wrong interpretation of
the scriptures. When people can’t tell you’re a believer by your lifestyle, the
gray areas of your behavior stop the favor of God from showing up in your life.

Shelly, the newborn Christian teenager, wasn’t that
excited to crash the party of a one year old, but I assured her she would have
a good time.Not long after we arrived
she disappeared.I looked all over the
house and yard for her.Something urged
me to check the basement, and there she was – crying.

“If
I wanted to see people drunk I could have stayed home. You said Christians were
different, but they’re not.This isn’t
anything different than what I see every day. I want to go …” she
said in a shaky voice as tears streamed down her cheeks.

We had no idea of what we were walking into that day, and
certainly didn’t expect to see this kind of behavior at a child’s party.That was the last event we ever went to with
that family; not because we judged them, but the fact that they were stumbling
blocks that turned someone away from the Lord by their behavior.That young girl never returned to youth
group.

“Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve
this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.” (Romans 14:13 NKJV)

“… but beware lest somehow this liberty of yours (forgiveness,
freedom of sin by the mercy, grace and favor of God you received from
salvation) become a stumbling block to those who are weak (in faith or newly
saved).” (1 Corinthians 8:9 NKJV)

Pass the Milk

I’m not going to debate whether or not a Christian should
drink, dance, swear, play cards, go to movies, listen to the non-Christian
music or do anything like the world does.
God set the rules, and our part is to know what they are for any given subject or behavior.We must question this about our lifestyle: “Is our behavior in any way a stumbling block that could prevent
someone from coming to Christ?”

We need always keep this statement in mind concerning
anything we do in life.

“If we are not leading people to Christ,

we are leading them away from Him.”

I knew an evangelist pastor that wouldn’t drink anything
but milk in public, not even water. To me that was really ridiculous, but when
I questioned him I understood why he chose that behavior.

Being in the public
eye, the Reverend said it was so that his testimony and walk with Christ
wouldn’t be questioned. He gave no reason for doubting who he claimed he
belonged to – Jesus.

The purpose of our “Inner Journey to Jesus” is making
sure we reach our destination. If any of “the least of these” (meaning breaking God's laws) things we do keeps someone from believing in Christ because of our actions, then
it is a sin and we are not to partake of it.That soul we hindered will be marked to our account as “lost”.I don’t know about you, but I don’t need that
kind of pressure or responsibility. Wash that Gray Away!

An old commercial for a hair coloring product has a
catchy jingle where the people sing, “I’m
gonna wash that gray right out of my hair.”With one single application the unsightly gray is eliminated and washed
away.

It baffles me as to why some people color their hair but
don’t seem to mind the gray patch right at the top that makes them look like a
skunk. Mom was one of those ladies that didn't worry and would color it when she got around to it.My husband laughs when I call it skunk head.(I know …
it’s not “Christian” but I can’t help thinking it.) ... then there are some like Lauren who have different reasons and brings me to my point about our own gray areas that aren't very nice, and it has nothing to do with chemistry.

Something Christians should be doing is to look for those
gray areas that pop up in our life on a regular basis.Believe me, people notice. If you don't think they do, ask Lauren when she was going through some changes in her life.

When others see us
they shouldn’t have a difficult time recognizing that we are followers of
Jesus.

There
are no gray Zebras, just black and white clearly marked
creations. We are like the Zebra in that our stripes were defined by Jesus when
Christ died on the cross for our sins.We don’t get to add colors or even shades.

There isn't a product we can apply to our lives that
will get rid of gray areas of sin, but it can be completely washed out of our lives by the
blood of Jesus though prayer.

This
Week’s Challenge

Getting
Rid of the Gray Zebra

Are you easily identified as a Christian? In other words, are you easily marked with the
stripes of Jesus that says you belong to Him?

This week we’re focusing on areas in our life that could
technically be classified as “gray” concerning our Christian walk. Instead of a to-do list, we have a “Don’t list”.

I’m not going to ask you to write anything, make a
checklist of things you need to change or spend hours in prayer repenting for
things you might have done that caused someone to fall.At this point of the journey you already know
what things God has been speaking to you about changing in your life.If you don’t know, take a look at any of this
year’s posts … we’re always working on something.

Before, during and following each thing you do I’d like
you to be mindful of all your actions.This includes your conversations, places you go and people you hang out
with in person, by phone or online.

While participating in your activity ask the Holy Spirit
to alert you of the Gray Zebra …
things that could be considered “gray” areas starting to emerge. This could be as simple as not giving thanks
openly over your food. Be on the lookout for anything that could turn into a
questionable thing as well.

“But the hour is coming, and
now is, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth;
for the Father is seeking such to worship Him.” (John 4:23)

“But the Helper, the Holy
Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and
bring to your remembrance all things I said to you.” (John 14:26 NKJV)

Don’t
carry guilt. It isn’t Christian, meaning, remember you are forgiven.If you haven’t confessed the sin to Jesus
take care of that and then move on … it’s forgotten.

“As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our
transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103:12 NKLV)Don’t
forget
your journey isn’t complete, so be encouraged.Let people know by your lifestyle that you belong to Jesus, are free
from sin and that no gray Zebras are squatting on His property.

Friday, June 20, 2014

For an entire month the world is going to be fixated on the
spectacular games taking place in Brazil for the 2014 World’s Best Soccer
Team.Fans will be singing their
praises, buying memorabilia, messaging words of encouragement to their favorite
teams and players.

Last week we learned that it is OK to give honor to individuals
without making heroes out of them.Can
we take our minds off the game for a short time and focus on those not of this
world?

Welcome new friends this week from:See if your state/country/region made the list.

Aren’t you excited to see so many new cities and countries log into Daily
Favor each day?It gives encouragement
that there are people in need of the lessons we’ve been learning.Thank you to all who have remained faithful
in sharing this Inner Journey on Daily Favor.(DFB - Daily Favor Blog)

You are welcome to leave comments
or prayer requests below.All are
private. I would love to hear from you and how Daily Favor has worked in your
life.Contact me by leaving a message in
the box at the bottom of this week’s post.

It’s easy to get caught up with the things of this world;
after all it is where we are living right?Technically yes, but spiritually no.

I realized that we were coming to the tail end of our
Inner Journey a while back. In prayer I asked the Lord to show me what was the
main thing holding back favor from His children.He didn’t give me a long drawn out list, but
said, “You.”

“Me” … I quickly rebutted.“No ... You.” He said again, but this time
explained what “You” meant.You as each
individual … like each one all by themselves.

If you asked me a question my response would be directed to you
personally.So the real person holding
back God’s favor is you, me, I, he, she, we, us … get it.You, yourself, personally determine the
amount of favor based on certain things.

The reason why God’s children aren’t experiencing the
blessings, favor and mercy from Him is because we have been looking at this
world’s benefit package and not Heaven’s world.

Right now people are traveling from all over the world to
get to Brazil for the games. They realize that they are only there for a short
time and make temporary arrangements for their visitation.People do what they can to fit into that part
of the world, but are not caught up in learning everything about it while
engaging in the sporting events.

Are the Brazilians upset by this? Of course not.They are doing their best so that people have
a nice stay in their part of the world, but know they are leaving when the
games are finished to where they really live.When the World Cup is presented their part is finished and they will
have succeeded in their task.

Christians have forgotten that they are not of this world
and that we have an assignment as Ambassadors of the Lord.In order for us to complete the job we need
the favor of God and man to succeed.

Give
Me A Reason to Believe …

Book by Maurice Wiles

You want reasons why believers aren’t experiencing the best from
God, even in difficult times? Here are a few.

One is
they don’t see the small blessings and are looking for the big buck items,
forgetting the dollar gifts they already have.They aren’t grateful or content with what God has given them for this
part of their journey.

It’s the most powerful weapon a Christian has, but we’re
using it to destroy and not build up the Body of Christ.

Now think about it, some of the things that come out of
our mouths are pretty dumb.I get on
people all the time for saying, “That
cake (or whatever food it is) is to die for.”How stupid would you feel if you really did
die from eating a piece of cake?

“This cake is terrific, best I’ve had in years.”Would that be so hard to say?Certainly our desire for God’s blessings on
our life is more important than food.

There are many more reasons why favor hasn’t happened in
some lives, but one stands out from the rest, pure belief.We do not receive what we do not believe when
it comes to blessings for ourselves.

A few weeks back we touched on this, but it’s still a
huge problem.Until we believe what God
says about us, we’ll never have everything we need in this world to finish our
journey with joy.God has a vision and
place for each of us. His favor will
lead you to that place to accomplish His purpose for your life.

Blessed
Girl

My husband wanted to buy a new shirt for Flag Day, which
was June 14th.We looked
through several pieces of clothing until he found what he wanted on sale for
$5.00.

I was going to get a matching
shirt, but saw a dangling tag across from where I was standing.It read, “Blessed Girl.”Now I was intrigued and had to see what it
meant.

Separating the hangers on the rack I pulled one out to
see what was on the front.Nothing
fancy, just a small design on the upper left side of the T-shirt.Then I turned it over and read the back.

Those who know me know that pink isn’t my favorite color,
but I liked the message. There was a big girly boot design with raised bold
lettering splashed across the entire back of the shirt.

My point is, that (like Jesus said) “You” (personally) have
to believe what God says about you (me, us, etc…) when it refers to the
blessings that come from obedience as stated in Deuteronomy 28, if they are
going to go before and after you (verse 6).

Do you really believe? For twenty-five weeks we’ve been
learning about this, so favor should be knocking at our doors.

Our lives reflect what we believe. Right now each team
believes they will win that World Cup, if they didn’t why would they have
worked so hard to get to into the series?If you don’t believe in what you are doing you won’t win the prize.

We are in this world physically to achieve
our calling and do it with excellence.That requires believing what the Word of God says about blessings.

Yield
of Favor

Do you realize that it’s not what God thinks about
you? He already thinks good things.What
do youthink about yourself? God doesn’t have the
problem believing, we do.It’s our lack
of faith to believe in His promises that stops favor from coming to pass.

Remember Jesus did explain this issue of faith to us when
He said in several passages, “Have faith
… they received the gift by faith … to all have been given a measure of faith.”

We’re not using what was given to us by the Lord.If I give you a full glass of water but you
only drink half of it, you didn’t consume all I gave you.That was your choice.I gave you more than you needed.

Can you see how this has happened in our
mindset concerning the blessings of God?

Our yield in favor
will be measured by what we’ve received, and dispersed through our believing
the Word of God.If you only believe for
half blessings, that’s all you’ll receive and all you can dispense.

Let me tell you what happened when I believed that I was
a “Blessed Girl".

Walking
in “Not of this World’s” Blessings

It didn’t take long for the favor of God to show up last
week after I purchased the “Blessed Girl” shirt.From the time I put it on literally until the
time I took it off almost 20 hours later favor was showered upon me.

Last Saturday was Smile Power Day and I took it literally, planting smiles everywhere I
went. God says we are to “be” friendly, so I was what “I am” in Christ. (A
friend in/of/for Jesus.)

Our first stop was meeting some loved ones we hadn’t seen
in several years along with some new people.We decided to catch up at the IHOP where we met a “super” gentleman
named Jason.No wait, that’s what I
called him …, Larry “Jason” lavished us with his smile, outgoing kindness and
eagerness to please.

Our friends picked up the tab even though my husband
tried to pay for theirs.God allowed
someone to bless us, because He positioned us to bless someone else.

Leaving the building we gathered in front of the couple’s
vehicle to pray over their travels.The
Holy Spirit led someone to that specific parking lot that needed favor in their
life.If we didn’t take the blessing that
was given to us by our friends, we wouldn't have been in position to be a
blessing by giving favor in finances to a stranger in need.

Not of this World Logo (TM)

Moving on from the restaurant we found extreme favor
everywhere.I’m talking “crazy,
out of this world” favor and blessings. Each time we received a blessing, we
gave one.Throughout the day they kept
multiplying when people commented on my shirt.

As people would speak, my confidence levels rose; I couldn’t
wait to see what else God was about to do.It was as if God was testing my faith to see if He really would do anything
for “me.”

My husband needed shoes.We found a pair he liked and I used my $10 coupon toward purchasing them. When
the price came up the saleswoman said, “You
have a $20 rewards coupon.Would you
like to use it?” I didn’t know anything about this and with a big smile I
nodded my head in agreement.The shoes
ended up being less than half price.

After the sale was complete, she gave me a 20% off slip
for my next purchase.With it I bought a
much needed pair of sneakers for myself.I do not want to boast, but shout praises of what God will do when we
dare to take Him at His Word. Favor will not always come through finances, but other things as well.

We received the best parking spots (I’m talking right
outside the door) in crowed cities, free food, free gifts, and great service,
rebuked prices for deep discounts all went beforeand followed us the entire day just
like Deuteronomy said it would.

All we had to do was be obedient to God by being
where He needed us to be, and do what He wanted us to do for Him that day.Friends, favor and blessings are out there,
even in bad times.

It all happened because I (we both) believed and acted on what God
said:

“YOU (meaning me)
are blessed and have favor as a shield about YOU Favored1.”

Don’t think that the shirt was what made me believe.It was just a biblical “point of contact” (much like a prayer cloth), and reminder of what I already believed.Sometimes
we need that.

When others read my shirt, it stirred up a conversation allowing
an open door for the gospel. That was my part of the journey for last
Saturday.

It was if God was saying, "Hey, I'm talking to You."

When “you” believe that your
blessings will come from God (Who isn’t of this world), He will give
them to you for His plan “in this world.”

It’s not about being cocky or arrogant; but becoming the
vessel Jesus needs for His blessings to be disbursed.

We cannot be generous in blessings if we aren’t receiving
any. That is why we learned about becoming what God needs for His plan along
our journey to Him.Part of the process
is identifying or attaching your life with the blessings
as “yours” for the mission.This is how
to do that.

Call
Me “Love”

It’s easier than you think … You didn’t get that.

Easier … than WE THINK.

Our thinking is what has made it hard, because we
don’t think the way God thinks when it comes to His blessings and being loved
by Him.

When I realized that my thinker was wrong, I had to make
outward adjustments along with the inner changes.This change happened many years ago when I
was trying to “decide” if God loved me, instead of believing He did.

Every night before we went to bed I asked my husband to call
me “love” instead of honey or sweetheart.He would say, “Goodnight Love (as if it were my name), I love you.”Over the course of weeks it became a part of
our speech not just for bedtime, but all the time.In a matter of time I didn’t think I was
loved, it was if love became my name and who I was.Does that make sense to you?

1 John 4:16

We are not of this world but of God; we are “part of Love”.Love is not a characteristic of God, He is
love, just like I am a girl or my husband is a boy.It’s genetics, the “AM” factor of an
individual; it isn’t something you work at but is who you are.

If we are of God, doesn’t that mean through Christ we are
love also, and not a characteristic of it?It no longer is a name, but part of our being. It’s difficult being “love”,
especially if we never knew that’s what we’re supposed to be in the first place.

Accepting what God has given us through salvation enables
favor to be part of our lives continually.

This is why identifying yourself with God is vital, and
where our challenge for this week takes us.Jesus said, “I have called you by name.” (See Isaiah 43 & Isaiah 45:4)Don’t think of it as just your name of identification that people refer
to you as, rather open yourself up for “all” the names God has called you that
connect you to His favor.

This
Week’s Challenge:

Connecting
You to Favor

Step
1
- You will need ten large index
cards and a bold marker. Colors would be nice.

Write the words “I am” on each one, leaving a space for
an adjective (descriptive word) about what God says you are to Him.(We did a partial exercise of this in the
"Hello My Name Is" challenge.)

Step
2
– To make this a shorter challenge we’re only going to use one letter of the
alphabet. Taking the first letter in your
given name (like “F” in Favored1), write down the positive terms that God calls
His children.Mine would look like this:

Let’s say your name begins with the letter G.What words beginning with G does God say
about us?Rule out “good” because Jesus
said, "No one is good, but God."How about
giving, gracious or generous. What blessings are attached to those kinds of
people?OK, you get the idea.

Don’t list your talents or gifts, but the character
traits God is looking for in His children.Those character traits will release favor in your life.

Step
3
- Find a verse that backs up the word you used to describe who you are to God
through Christ like I showed you above, then write out the entire verse on the
opposite side of the card.

OK, this isn't an index card, but it worked.

Step
4
– Tape the cards throughout your home.Do this for every member of your house.When you see a member of your family, don’t call them by their earthly name.

Call them their “out of this world” name, by speaking
the descriptive favor words they learned.

Say “Hello, Love (or loved by God)” … whatever the word
may be.You will start to think of them
in the Light of Jesus, and they will begin thinking of themselves as God does.

As you hear the words on a continual basis your faith to
believe will grow.It has to according
to God.“Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.”(Romans 10:17)Verbalizing what God says about “you” shows the Lord that
you agree with Him.Through Christ we are Not of this World, and our
blessings need to be “Out of this World”
spectacular, to finish the journey that leads us to a prize more precious than
a silver cup.